How different generations define 'cringe,' 'corny,' 'baduy,' and 'cool'
What's cringe, baduy, corny, and cool for you?
Since trends come and go, what feels cool for one generation can easily be seen as “too much” or outdated for another. As we meet new people and discover our differences, how do we stay authentic without becoming judgmental of others and their choices?
In the 12th episode of PhilSTAR L!fe's Generations podcast, veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Gen Z columnist Angel Martinez, and singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra talked about what’s considered cringe, corny, baduy, and cool in their respective generations—and how these perceptions affect the way we see and interact with others.
Cruz-Valdes, who is a Boomer, shared that being labeled “bakya” was considered baduy—a term associated with the late Nora Aunor, who was morena and "very different" from the actresses in her time.
Martinez, meanwhile, said her generation initially saw Filipino films or ukay-ukay shopping as baduy. "Napansin ko 'yung pattern is anything that's like associated with being Filipino or anything that's accessible to the masses, 'yun 'yung parang natatawag na baduy," she said.
As the conversation moved toward what people now call “cringe,” the trio agreed that it often stems from trying too hard or coming off as inauthentic.
For Cruz-Valdes, it's "cringey" when Filipinos who have poor grammar pretend to have an American accent. Martinez, meanwhile, described cringe as “nagta-try hard.”
“Alam mo ’yung feeling na hindi siya ’yun, nagpapanggap lang whether it’s for social media or for other reasons,” she said.
Seguerra, who recently released a new version of his hit song Pagdating ng Panahon in celebration of its 25th anniversary, connected Cruz-Valdes and Martinez's point to Filipinos forgetting their roots in an attempt to fit in abroad.
“Feeling nila ikinaganda at ikinagwapo nila ’yung pagkalimot sa kung sino sila,” he said.
The musician also noted that adapting to different environments is natural for Filipinos, while still emphasizing the importance of not losing sight of their identity. "I think, Filipinos, we tend to assimilate talaga sa surroundings. Wala namang mali do'n, I think it works to our benefit kasi 'pag pumunta tayo sa ibang bansa, ang dali nating mag-adjust sa mga katrabaho natin, pero siguro while we're doing the assimilation, 'wag nating kalimutan 'yung representation," he stressed.
While the panelists kept the discussion on “corny” or “cheesy” lighthearted, Martinez and Seguerra briefly pointed out certain types of humor and jokes that tend to fall under the category.
Martinez observed that younger generations are beginning to revisit things once dismissed as "baduy."
“There's an interesting transition, though. Sa pagkaka-observe ko, ’yung mga Gen Z before, madaling silang mag-tag ng certain stuff like baduy. But now there's kind of a resurgence,” she said, citing the renewed popularity of the Diary ng Panget soundtrack, Pinoy rap, and people dancing to budots unironically on TikTok.
Seguerra said this shift may come with age and becoming less concerned with other people’s opinions.
“I think the younger we are, mas apektado tayo sa mga sinasabi ng ibang tao sa ’tin,” he pointed out.
Martinez agreed, saying people eventually outgrow the need to pretend. “Mas hindi na kami prone sa pretensions siguro. Ang dami na nating kailangang intindihin na ibang bagay,” she said.
When asked what makes someone “cool,” Martinez highlighted authenticity over trends.
“I think mabilis kang ma-brand as cool kasi your personality isn't attached to whatever is new, whatever is popular; it remains a constant regardless of any external factors,” she said.
Labels and judgment
Martinez said the rise of social media and constant exposure to other people’s lives may be one reason why people are quick to label and judge others.
"Maybe there's a tendency to prescribe the right way to live life. Lalo na ngayon na we have access to the lives of so many people," Martinez pondered. "Gusto natin sila i-pulis, or gusto natin isipin na, 'Oh we're living the right way,' meanwhile sila, cringe, corny, baduy."
Cruz-Valdes highlighted that what people consider “cringey” or “corny” can differ from person to person, and can affect how they interact with others. “I think it also helps you navigate your reactions in certain situations when you're with people,” she said.
Seguerra also acknowledged that such labels can even play a role in finding one’s community.
"That's our way to find our own tribe as well. You find like-minded people na nakikita, ‘Ay, cool ’to,’ or pareho rin kayo ng ick,” he explained. “That's how you survive.”
Martinez agreed, saying shared dislikes can sometimes bring people together. “Nothing really bonds people more than someone you mutually hate," she quipped.
For the Gen Z writer, dealing with labels and judgment has pretty much become part of being on social media.
“If you want to continue existing on social media, parang this is just something you have to learn to deal with in your own way kasi hindi naman talaga sila mawawala even if magmakaawa ka na ‘Tao lang din ako, I also make mistakes, mahahanap pa rin nila ’yun ng reason to pile on you,” she said, adding that it really comes down to knowing which voices are worth listening to.
Seguerra emphasized that "judging" people is "human nature."
“Iba-iba man ng words na ginagamit, halos pare-pareho din pala siya. Nagkakaroon lang ng different nuances pero do’n mo talaga makikita na as human beings, we really have the tendency to be judgmental. Kahit pigilan natin, lalabas at lalabas siya talaga,” he said.
For him, what matters is being mindful of how we handle those thoughts.
“We all have nasty thoughts, that's normal. Lagi nating dini-demonize ’yung nasty thoughts when in fact we all have [them],” he pointed out. “These are the thoughts na kailangan mong ilabas pero siguro maging mapanuri tayo kung saan natin ilalabas ito.”
Cruz-Valdes said that being judgmental isn’t necessarily bad. “I think in general it's not bad to judge, as long as you're judging the act and not the person,” she said. “Because once you judge the person, you are condemning, and that's something I draw a line on.”
Watch the full episode below.
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